A Grimsby shop worker has been named as the ring-leader of a cigarette smuggling gang who flooded the streets with potentially deadly tobacco.

Arifi Ahmedi was described as the “Mr Big” of a plot which saw thousands of fake cigarettes under brands including Mayfair and Richmond being sold.

But after raids seized a huge haul of cigarettes, every one of them tested failed basic safety tests. One brand was the notorious Jin Ling, made in Russia which has been blamed for the death of a 71-year-old pensioner in an earlier case.

However, he was absent for sentencing. Following the trial, which he missed, a warrant was issued for his arrest. He then showed up to court - only to then have to formally hand himself in to Cleveland Police.

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Mr Hope said testing revealed a safety strip, designed to stop them burning through, was missing.

“This vastly increases their risk as a fire hazard,” he said.

All three defendants were convicted following a trial.

Arifi Ahmedi at Grimsby Crown Court where he had previously been convicted of trading in illegal cigarettes (Image: Grimsby Telegraph)

Zadah was said to be an “ad-hoc” salesman while Abdulrahman was the “day to day boss”.

In mitigation, Zadah was said to be a £120-a-week butcher who was only “looking after” the paper shop when investigators found him.

And unemployed Abdulrahman offered a similar excuse, with probation adding: “He says he was simply running the shop for a friend who owns the premises.”

However the 28-year-old, of no fixed address, may now be deported after the court heard he wasn’t legally allowed to be in the UK. The court heard 21-year-old Zadah, of Kildare Street, Middlesbrough has been given leave to stay here until 2022.

Both were convicted of multiple charges, including distributing potentially dangerous goods and trademark offences.

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Magistrates deemed Abdulrahman had a “higher” role in the operation than Zadah and sentenced him to 12 weeks custody, suspended for 18 months. He must carry out 200 hours unpaid work, pay £200 costs and a £115 charge.

Zadah was handed a 12 month community order, with 120 hours unpaid work. He must pay £400 costs, higher because he is in work, and an £85 charge.